From Winter to Spring Skin Care: Tweaks and Tricks

Whew! We made it through another cold winter and it’s getting really warm!

We all know that when winter ends and the new season begins our skin changes. Raise your hand if your skin becomes dry, oily, and if it looks cracked. Is it happening to you? Welcome to the club!

Okay, bear this in mind: even though the weather is finally starting to warm up, our skin might not be ready yet, that’s why you need to transition into a spring skincare routine. 

Just like we change our wardrobes, diets, and routines to reflect the arrival of springtime, skin care is no exception! While there’s no need to radically overhaul your skincare routine just yet, there are a few tweaks and tricks you can perform to help your skin look its best as we go from one season to another. 

Spring is not just about cleaning and going on a road trip during Spring Break! Keep reading for tips on how to update your spring skin care ASAP!

Transitioning skin care: Why you should spring clean your routine

Did you know that up to 80% of people experience changes in their skin condition with the shift of seasons? Understanding your skin's needs is crucial for maintaining a healthy glow year-round. Your winter skincare routine was likely focused on heavier creams to combat the cold, dry air. However, with the new season, increased sun exposure and warmer temperatures can leave your skin feeling oily, so it's essential to adapt your regime for gorgeous skin all spring long.

On top of that, spring brings seasonal allergies, leading to increased sneezing and frequent face touching, which can exacerbate breakouts. It's especially important to keep your skin fresh and clean to ward off these effects.

Still thinking of sticking to your winter skin care products? Here are more reasons to reconsider!

#1 The weather

The weather is one of the main reasons to adjust your skincare routine.

The colder, drier air of winter can wreak havoc on your skin, leaving it feeling dry and dull. Thus, during winter months, your skin benefits from products that retain moisture, counteracting the cold air that strips your face of natural oils.

Conversely, the more humid air and warmer temperatures of spring can trigger breakouts, dark spots, and other skin issues. That's why your skin requires active ingredients to protect it from UV rays and other environmental aggressors. Incorporating lightweight, non-comedogenic products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid or vitamin C can help keep your skin healthy while also maintaining hydration without clogging your pores.

#2 Your goals

Another reason to change to a spring skin care routine is any specific goals or concerns you want to address. Perhaps you're looking to preemptively combat sun damage this season with a sunscreen containing at least SPF 30 or trying to restore moisture to dry, cracked skin left from winter.

Whatever your goals may be, you can customize your skincare routine to help you achieve them—consider incorporating products that contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to help manage spring breakouts.

#3 The products

The products that served you well in winter may be too heavy for your skin in spring. If you don’t switch them up, you may face clogged pores and breakouts *ugh*. Switch to lightweight formulas, like gel-based moisturizers or hydrating serums, for nourished, healthy skin.

Spring skin care routine: Do’s and Don’ts

The snow is disappearing, the birds are returning, and it's finally time to see those toes again! We enjoy the cold, but winter can really take a toll on our skin. From dry patches caused by indoor heating to windburn from frigid outdoor conditions, our skin endures a lot during the colder months.

Now that the weather is (finally) delightfully warm, it’s time to think about transitioning your skincare routine. Here's a list of do’s and *really big* don’ts you should keep in mind:

Do’s

1. Exfoliate deeply *if you weren’t doing it already*

If you haven’t been exfoliating regularly during the winter, now is the time to start. Casting off dead skin cells will help your skin absorb moisture better and achieve that healthy glow.

Be sure to choose a gentle exfoliator that won’t irritate your skin! 

Read more about it: What is Exfoliation?

2. Swap out heavy products for lighter ones

With the rising temperatures, your skin requires less hydration. Heavy creams and oils can clog pores, leading to breakouts—especially for oily or acne-prone individuals—so replace them with lighter moisturizers, serums, and lotions for healthy, nourished skin.

3. Add a face mask to hydrate skin

To combat the dryness from the winter months, consider adding a sheet mask or an overnight face mask to your weekly routine. Look for ingredients like aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, or shea butter to help lock in moisture.

Spoiler alert: Want to know more about the incredible benefits of overnight face masks? Check it out here. 

4. Adapt your makeup to the new season

Avoid heavy makeup products!

Warm weather and heavy makeup aren’t the best of friends, as they can clog pores and result in breakouts. Opt instead for lighter products—such as BB creams—that offer sun protection.

Find the best makeup products here.

5. Clean your makeup brushes

If you’ve avoided this in winter, it's time to make cleaning your brushes a priority! Spring cleaning includes getting rid of accumulated bacteria to start applying spring products with a clean slate.

Don’ts 

1. Don’t skip the sunscreen

Sunscreen is essential for all skin types! Just because the sun isn’t as intense doesn’t mean you can skip the SPF. Sun exposure can still be harmful in spring and summer months. Apply sunscreen every day, even if your plans don’t involve extended outdoor time.

Pro-tip: Choose a sunscreen that contains zinc oxide and is rich in antioxidants for enhanced protection. 

2. Don’t overdo it with the products

As tempting as it can be to use every product at your disposal with warmer weather, this can actually result in more harm than good. Using too many products can overload your skin, leading to irritation. Stick to your tried-and-true products and introduce new ones gradually during the summer.

3. Don’t forget about your lips

Get your lips ready for spring!

Your lips are just as exposed as the rest of your skin, so don’t forget to give them some love. Look for a lip balm with SPF to protect them from sun damage while keeping them hydrated this season.

Shop the best lip care products here.

4. Don’t skip moisturizer

*We see you, people with oily skin*

If your skin feels greasy, you might think skipping moisturizer is beneficial during these warmer months… Absolutely not!

While warmer weather often leads to increased sebum production, you shouldn’t skip moisturizer in an effort to avoid greasiness. This can cause unwanted breakouts and dryness! 

Spring skincare tips

Spring beauty tips for dry skin

If your skin is dry, you know that the chilly weather can be tough on your complexion. The good news is, there are a some tweaks you can make to your skincare routine to help your skin during the warmer months

Here are some of our favorite tips:

• Start by switching out your heavy, rich cream and cleanser for a dramatically different moisturizing gel and water-based lotion. This will help your dull skin feel less weighed down and more refreshed.
• Exfoliate habitually to get rid of any dead cells that have built up over the winter months and increase blood flow. We recommend using a gentle exfoliating scrub once a week, as harsh scrubs can damage the skin barrier and prevent more skin from growing.
• Make sure to include skin care products rich in antioxidants, like vitamin c, to help your skin recover from the dry, colder months boost collagen production and smooth wrinkles.
• Finally, don't forget the sunscreen! Yes, the sun is not as damaging during spring, but you still can’t skip out on this important step in your skincare routine. Choose a light, non-greasy formula that won't clog your pores and will shield you against sun damage.

Spring beauty tips for oily and acne-prone skin

Any board-certified dermatologist would tell you that warm and humid weather often translates to oilier skin! If you are afraid of your skin looking like just-out-of-the-fryer french fries or want to avoid getting a feared breakout, here is what you should do: 

• Make sure you’re also using a light, oil-free moisturizer in the springtime to keep your skin hydrated. Heavy creams can sometimes make acne worse, so it’s best to switch to something lighter as the weather, like a fast-absorbing moisturizing gel. 
• If, for some reason, you’re not using any spot treatment, add salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to your regime to keep your pores clear. These products can be used all year round, but they will work wonders during the hotter months to prevent breakouts, get rid of dark spots, and even skin tone.
• Non-comedogenics are your way to go, especially during this season! If you were using products that include non-comedogenic *or pore-clogging* ingredients, it is time to spring clean them.  
• Don’t forget to exfoliate! Oily skin is more prone to breakouts, blackheads, and whiteheads. Exfoliating helps to remove dead skin cells, unclog pores, and prevent new breakouts from forming.

For oily skin, it’s best to use a physical exfoliator with small particles that won’t irritate the skin. Look for scrubs with ingredients like jojoba beads or ground coffee beans and use it twice a week for a few seconds. 

• Add an oil-free, water-based cleanser to wash all the dirt and sweat off and use oil-free makeup, like bb cream, to avoid feeling too heavy. 

Spring beauty tips for sensitive skin

Sensitive skin is often dry, red, and irritated during the warmer months, but fear not! Here are our skin care tips to get healthy skin while enjoying the days in the sun: 

• First things first: switch to a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser, since harsh chemicals and fragrances can further irritate sensitive skin. 
• Next, up your moisture game with a hydrating serum or cream. Look for a moisturizer that contains active ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin, which help attract and retain moisture and have the added benefit that they won’t redden your skin. 
• If you have sensitive skin, chances are your skin is also dry. Exfoliating is important to get rid of dead cells and even skin tone, but be sure to use a gentle exfoliator made for sensitive skin and approved by your board-certified dermatologist.
• Stay away from irritating antioxidants like vitamin c and, if you want to use it, do a patch test first.
• Last but not least, don’t forget the sunscreen! Sensitive skin is particularly susceptible to sun damage, so be sure to apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every day.

Get ready to say “hello” to your spring routine

So, if you’ve been hibernating all winter long, it’s time to start transitioning your skincare routine into something that will work well for the warmer season! From your cleanser and SPF to the moisturizer and antioxidants, there are some things you should change if you don’t want to avoid looking like Casper the Friendly Ghost all year long. 

 Don’t worry though, we’ve got you covered! Visit our Asian Beauty Essentials for all of the best spring skincare products to help you keep your skin healthy throughout the season. 

We promise that with a little effort and these great products, you will be on your way to having beautiful and healthy skin in no time!